If you’ve made any resolutions at all, or even thought vaguely about plans for this year, they might well include eating more healthily. For that seems to be a common goal, something that ought to be achievable, perhaps even necessary after Christmas excesses, but, well, can slip sometimes, too.
Which is why you need these easy healthy recipes, that take just minutes to prepare but will fill you with energy and vitality at the same time. From quick salads (yes, even in winter) to chicken noodle soups and even some light pasta recipes, these dishes are all delicious and satisfying.
Think about what your goal is, whether it’s to feel like you have more energy, to have the fuel to train a little harder, or just to feel better about life. Food can help you with all these things, for when you’re nourished you feel like you can take on the world, and can get things done, and achieve. Eating well is a really efficient form of self-care and yet one that often gets overlooked in the pressures of life. So make a plan to cook one of these simple healthy lunch or dinner recipes and revel in the knowledge you’re looking after yourself.
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1
Green Curry and Courgette Noodles
By using courgette to make the "noodles", this recipe from Honestly Healthy is light and fresh.
Try Honestly Healthy's Green Curry and Courgette Noodles recipe
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2
Gluten-free Mediterranean pasta salad
Quick and easy to make, this Mediterranean inspired pasta salad makes a great summer lunch or side dish at a barbecue.
Try this Mediterranean pasta salad recipe
See our selection of the best stir-fry recipes
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3
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Using sunflower seeds in place of the traditional peanut butter in this Indonesian chicken dish is a nut-free alternative. It also goes down very well with children. Serve with a portion of steamed basmati rice for a colourful, light yet satisfying dinner.
Try Pippa Kendrick’s bang bang chicken recipe
See our selection of the best stir-fry recipes
Add a touch of Spring to your menu with these ideas
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4
7 veg and brown rice potsu
The base of brown and wild rice makes this vegetarian recipe a great low-GI favourite to have for lunch or dinner. It’s also super healthy and packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the veg mixture, which counts as half of your five-a-day.
Try Itsu’s seven veg and brown rice potsu recipe
See our selection of the best stir-fry recipes
Add a touch of Spring to your menu with these ideas
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5
Waldorf salad
Quick and easy, this healthy twist on the classic Waldorf salad makes a great light dinner or side dish for a dinner party. The combination of crunch celeriac, sweet apple and creamy mustard dressing is incredibly tasty.
Try this healthy Waldorf salad recipe
See our selection of the best stir-fry recipes
Add a touch of Spring to your menu with these ideas
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6
Chicken Noodle Soup
This is a supremely easy soup to put together. The Thai flavours are wonderfully refreshing, while the rice noodles and slivers of cooked chicken make it quite substantial too.
Try Rachel Allen’s seven minute chicken noodle soup recipe
Make dinner in a flash with these quick chicken ideas
Try our best Chinese recipes
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7
Black pepper and chilli-seared tuna with a carrot and apple salad
This brilliantly quick dish is easy to whip up on an evening with little time to spare. The tuna only needs to be marinated for 10 minutes and cooked for merely a few minutes so it’s still beautifully pink in the middle.
Try this black pepper and chilli seared tuna with a carrot and apple salad recipe
Like tuna? Try these recipes
Whip up one of these classic fish dishes
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8
Vegetarian stir fry
Quick to make and easy to prepare ahead of time, this delicious stir-fry makes a tasty dinner party dish. They may be vegetarian but will be loved by meat eaters, too.
Try this vegetarian noodle stir-fry recipe
Be inspired by our best stir-fry recipes
Love noodles? Try these noodle recipes
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9
Warm sichuan tangerine beef salad recipe
This quick and easy beef salad is tangy, tasty and perfect for a midweek dinner or even a healthy and simple dinner party dish.
Try this tangerine beef salad recipe
See our best beef stew recipes
Keep things tangy with these chutney recipes
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10
Watercress soup recipe, from 'Great Homemade Soups'
A well-made watercress soup in all its simplicity can be the ultimate in soup-making. Whether served hot or cold, it is delicious, slightly peppery and vibrant green. This makes a lovely refreshing lunch or light supper served with fresh bread.
Try this easy watercress soup recipe
Learn how to cook with watercress
See our best simple soup recipes
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11
Pasta with chickpeas and lemon
There are many traditional Italian pasta and chickpea combinations but this is a little different. The simplicity and freshness of this dish is so tempting and it’s easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner.
Try this chickpea and lemon pasta recipe
See our best easy pasta dishes for a simple weeknight dinner
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12
Colourful Winter Salad
This crunchy winter salad is full of earthy flavours and healthy nutrients. The nuttiness of the tahini dressing really brings the salad alive and is a great way to get children eating healthily.
Try this winter salad recipe
Eat the seasons with our delicious Summer salad ideas
See our huge selection of children's recipes
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13
Warm salad of tenderstem broccoli and chickpeas
This lovely vegetarian dish soaks up all the flavours of spice and citrus beautifully. It’s a lovely accompaniment to curries or as part of a spread of salads.
Try this broccoli and chickpea salad recipe
If you're a fan of broccoli try this parmesan battered broccoli dish
See our best easy vegetarian recipes
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14
Smoked mackerel salad on rye bread
Mackerel is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for good health. The smoked fish is delicious served with a crisp salad on top of rich rye bread.
Try this mackerel salad on bread recipe
Like homemade bread? Try this fab recipe
See our best trout recipes
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15
Linguine with crab, chilli, lemon and rocket
Tinned crab is a great alternative to fresh crab and makes a handy store cupboard standby. Add the zing of lemon and the bite of chilli and you have a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Try this linguine with crab recipe
See our guide to cooking with crab
Be inspired by our best seafood recipes
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16
Chicken and rice salad with mint pesto and peas
This is a great dish for an easy dinner that children will love. It’s a quick and easy way to use up leftover roast chicken.
Try this chicken and rice salad recipe
See our round-up of the best chicken salad recipes
Keep salad's healthy with these best recipes
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17
Super Greens Salad with Chicken
This is a tangy and peppery, healthy green salad that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein. The inclusion of nuts and seeds adds a delicious crunch and the roasted chicken can be omitted or replaced with tinned beans or pulses.
Try this green salad with chicken recipe
Be tempted by our best roast chicken recipes
Boost your mineral intake with these healthy green salad ideas
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18
Baked Potato Filled With Beetroot Feta and Mint Salad
A jacket potato is the ultimate winter warmer and this comforting dish packed full of earthy beetroot is a great easy dinner dish. And it’s healthy too.
Try this baked potato filled with beetroot recipe
Whip up one of Gwyneth Paltrow's warming recipes
See our best potato recipes
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19
Apple and Prawn Stir Fry
Fiery from the chili, sour from the tangy tamarind and naturally sweet from the delicious apples. Try and choose stir fry vegetables that have lots of different colours and flavours.
Try this prawn and apple stir-fry recipe
Take a look at our best stir-fry recipes
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20
Thai Style Beef Salad
You can serve this salad at room temperature, which is convenient when you’re cooking for friends because you won’t be rushing around at the last minute. To prepare it ahead of time, cut up the vegetables and herbs, cover and chill. Cook the meat about an hour before serving and combine all the ingredients just before serving.